Reusable Deodorant Dispenser With Replaceable Refill Cartridge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Single-use deodorant dispensers result in excessive waste and increased manufacturing costs due to the need for frequent replacements.
Innovation Solution
A reusable deodorant dispenser system that allows for the replacement of refill cartridges, reducing material usage and waste by enabling the reuse of the dispenser unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If single-use dispensers are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but loss of substance increases due to excessive waste
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser system is divided into two separate components: a reusable dispenser body and a disposable refill cartridge. This segmentation allows the complex mechanism (telescope, spring, base, cylindrical housing) to be reused while only the consumable product container is discarded, significantly reducing waste compared to single-use dispensers.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a system where the dispenser body is recovered and reused after the refill cartridge is depleted. The reusable dispenser body can accept multiple refill cartridges over time, transforming a single-use model into a cyclic reuse model that reduces material waste and manufacturing burden.
2Device complexity
If single-use dispensers are used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to frequent replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser body incorporates a dynamic refill mechanism with a telescope that moves between retracted and extended positions. This dynamic system allows the dispenser to adapt its operation based on the refill cartridge status, enabling continuous operation without manual intervention for replacement, thus improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable dispenser body is designed with universal compatibility to accept multiple different refill cartridges. The standardized interface (cylindrical opening, threading, latching mechanism) allows the same dispenser body to work with various refill types, increasing system versatility and reducing the need for multiple dispenser units.
3Loss of substance
If reusable dispensers with refill cartridges are used, then loss of substance is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The consumable product is extracted into a separate refill cartridge that can be independently replaced. This extraction separates the permanent dispenser mechanism from the temporary product container, allowing waste reduction by only discarding the cartridge while maintaining the complexity of the reusable dispenser body.
Solution Approach 2:
The refill cartridge is nested within the dispenser body during operation. The cartridge fits inside the cylindrical housing and is operatively connected to the telescope mechanism, creating a compact integrated assembly that reduces the overall footprint while maintaining the reusable-disposable separation for waste reduction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Reduces waste and lowers manufacturing costs by allowing consumers to purchase refill cartridges instead of complete dispensers, promoting sustainability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The spring may have a proximal portion operably coupled to the spring holster of the base and a distal portion operably coupled to the telescope. Additionally, the spring may be biased to distally advance the telescope along the longitudinal axis.
Data Source
AI summary
A deodorant dispensing apparatus including a reusable product dispenser and a deodorant refill cartridge releasably coupled to the reusable product dispenser. The reusable product dispenser includes a cylindrical housing, a base, a telescope, and a spring. The base is rotatably coupled to the cylindrical housing and operably coupled to the telescope. The spring is operably coupled to a spring holster of the base and the telescope. The deodorant refill cartridge includes a refill barrel and refill plunger. The refill plunger is rotatably coupled to the refill barrel, which retains a deodorant product therein. The refill barrel includes a latching mechanism for releasably coupling the refill barrel to the reusable product dispenser.